The following is a snippet of a conversation regarding the twin Reformed doctrines of Limited Atonement and Total Depravity. More specifically, this segment of the conversation is in regards to who has been invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.

In Matthew 25 what separated the virgins into two groups, what separated those who received talents, and the sheep and goats?

I would have to say that it was the virgins that separated themselves. I imagine God foreknew and we could even consider the ones who were wedded (virgins), faithful (talents), and sheep to be elect but that election would have to be grounded in the free decision of the individuals to choose to accept the finished work God offered (as initiated via the bridegroom, master, and shepherd).

However we must also note that traditional Calvinism with T and I firmly in place has no notion of the potter or “dead man” making any decision whatsoever (so much so that the reprobate can’t even cry out in regards to his station among the damned).

The ten virgins were all expected to attend the wedding and it was their freely chosen actions that led to their exclusion.

All the virgins were to attend the wedding, but that some were foolish and were not prepared as a result (of their foolishness).

So if they had not been foolish, then they all would have been welcomed at the wedding?

Presumably, they would have all had enough oil to last until the bridegroom arrived if they had been wise (which we are commanded to be throughout Scripture) enough to bring extra oil. Actually it reminds me of the same lack of foresight that Esau showed when he despised his birthright. Or the odd man found in the wedding banquet who didn’t dress in proper wedding clothes.